CDS General Bipin Rawat Dies In Chopper Crash: An Unthinkable National Tragedy, Our Salute!

This is unthinkable, even unpardonable. That the helicopter carrying the topmost military officer of India—the first ever Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) next only to the Supreme Commander of the India Army, the President of India—should crash in spite of the highest security being attached to the trip and the fool-proof technical checks being obviously carried out by the best of pilots before the trip. But it has happened still—a monumental national tragedy. CDS General Bipin Rawat, one of the bravest and the most decorated military officers of the country, had left his Delhi residence around 9 this morning and boarded a special Indian Air Force (IAF) aircraft for Sulur Air Base near Coimbatore in Tamil Nadu along with his wife and seven others including senior military officers and security commandos. Arriving at Sulur around 11.30 AM he boarded a Mi-17V5 helicopter, supposedly the most advanced one being manufactured and delivered to India between 2013-16 by the Republic of Russia, with five more members including the crew joining the flight, making the total passengers in the chopper 14. The chopper took off around 11.45 AM for the Wellington Defence Services Staff College, Tamil Nadu.  

 

Just five minutes away from the destination the chopper crashed in Coonoor amid the forests of the mountainous district of Nilgiris around 12.20 PM. As the area was almost inaccessible the first ones to come to know of the crash were the local tribals who alerted the police. A lot of time thus was wasted before the actual rescue operations began. As per the tribal eye-witnesses shown by some news channels the helicopter reportedly hit a tree amid heavy fog and burst into flames before hitting the ground. The Tamil Nadu government had confirmed 5 fatalities, 2 badly burnt passengers taken to military hospitals and rescue operations going on for the rest. The ANI (Asian News International) had confirmed 13 fatalities out of the 14 quoting sources, the victims being identified through the DNA testing. No information about the condition of General Bipin Rawat and his wife was available till the last reports came in.

 

In sad reality, it is hoping against hope for the safety of the top General. Matters about high officials always involve a protocol and nothing is confirmed or announced in a hurry. The Defence Minister of India, Rajnath Singh, is the proper authority to make the final announcement after confirming fully with the Chief of the IAF. First, the Defence Minister briefed the Prime Minister Narendra Modi; then he consulted the IAF Chief who immediately rushed to the site of the tragic crash; and then the PM in consultation with the Defence Minister had called for a Cabinet meeting and a highest-level security session later in the evening. The Defence Minister then visited the residence of General Rawat in Delhi which was significant. The President of India, Ramnath Kovind, had also canceled his Mumbai event and rushed back to the capital. Dignitaries including the Army Chief and others have also been visiting the General’s residence. All these are pointers to an unthinkable tragedy.

 

The IAF has already ordered an inquiry into the crash. Many experts believe weather conditions have something to do with it. Tamil Nadu had witnessed unprecedented rains in the recent days and today it was reportedly very bad weather and heavy mist in the Coonoor hills. However, the emergency controls in the arguably most advanced chopper ever should have been able to maneuver and land safely, and the failure to do so with none other than the Chief of the military on board confounds one and all. The Defence Minister was to address the Parliament which is in session this evening, but it was then deferred to sometime tomorrow, possibly considering all aspects of a very sensitive incident involving national security and bilateral cum multilateral relations.

 

Unfortunately, over the last few decades we have been getting used to witness numerous chopper accidents involving various kinds of helicopters including the MIG and the Mi-Series types, most prominently; not only in India, but across various other countries too. Many dignitaries of the country including senior military officers, pilots, Chief Ministers, political leaders and others have either perished in those crashes or just survived. This leads us to question the very use of helicopters in modern times when other modes of air travel are easily available. Why not do away with helicopters for good?

 

The sad news has come. The IAF has confirmed just now that the brave General and Chief of Defence Staff Bipin Rawat (1958-2021), his wife and 11 other officials have died in the crash. Our tributes and homage to all the martyrs, our condolences to the General's and other officers' families. The whole of India has been praying for the General’s safety. But God always has other plans. An irreparable loss for India. 

India-China Faceoff: Boycott Plan Is Unrealistic!

Once upon a time there were two brothers in a village. The elder brother was of the gentle and peaceful type while the younger one was openly villainous, foul and quarrelsome. After their respective marriages, the petty quarrels became serious, and so they decided to separate—building their own houses dividing the same plot of land. On the border between them was a longish pond and the elder brother’s household did not even catch a fish coming out of that pond to their area on a rainy day as it was not their property. Occasionally on some issues the younger brother used to storm into the elder’s house—threatening him with a dagger at times. Although the boycott was total for decades the new generations of both households used to meet often defying the ban; some of them were close friends; a few of them went to different cities on jobs and there, members of both families used to enjoy togetherness freely. The point being made here is that a boycott plan does not even work at the microscopic level. Therefore, at the macro level where it involves two large countries who are neighbors too a boycott plan is totally unrealistic, harmful for both and unworkable. India and China should get this message straight and sweet.

Why exactly the rather primitive skirmishes between the Indian army and China’s Peoples Liberation Army happened at the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in Ladakh in the night of 15^th June 2020 happened is not known and is not revealed by either side. Both countries charged each other of violating rules and being aggressive first. The soldiers reportedly used rods, clubs and stones and fought within the Indian side of the LAC. A Colonel of the Indian army along with 19 soldiers were martyred while the Chinese never revealed the casualties on their side even as news agencies put the figure of their casualties at 43. Deaths of 20 brave-hearts created waves of shock, disbelief and anger across India—many questioning the government why the Indian army did use arms even after an officer of the rank of a Colonel got killed. Knowledgeable sources refer to a bilateral agreement signed between the two countries in 1996 which prohibited use of firearms within two kilometers of either side of the LAC. The uproar against the Chinese aggression which, in fact, started about three months back when US President Trump charged China with mishandling and spreading the new Coronavirus led naturally to waves of patriotism and jingoism and a total boycott plan of Chinese goods and products. While at the official levels some contracts with China were terminated several people’s organizations took up the movement against Chinese goods.

China has been India’s biggest trade partner after the US, and it accounts for nearly 12% of India’s total imports. China accounts for more than 70% of India’s cell phone market, and supplies various other products like toys, firecrackers, garments etc. at the cheapest possible prices which allow thousands of vendors do business with profit margins. Various multi-national corporations are working with huge Chinese investments. Some corporates point out the there is nothing wrong with Chinese investments because it helps creating employment and allowing huge benefits for consumers. Self-reliance goals for India cannot be achieved overnight, it has to be a long-term strategy.  From China’s point of view too it cannot ignore a huge and growing market like India and so cannot risk antagonizing India to a more serious extent. There are reasons why both countries dislike each other: India doesn’t like China’s growing closeness with Pakistan in the last one year while China doesn’t at all approve of India’s proximity with the US; there is also the general opinion about China’s ambition of emerging as a global superpower which is in sharper focus now due to USA’s apparent disastrous handling of the COVID-19 pandemic and the equally disastrous fallout.

Both countries are suffering from extensive economic downswing because of the COVID spread; China managed to effectively control the pandemic with a total lock-down but is now fearing a second wave while India now is in the thick of the virus and in the throes of the unlocking process. Both countries desperately need to recover economically; China is much ahead of India in terms of economic growth for over a decade but cannot afford to suffer further losses; with probable negative growth rate threatening India for the next fiscal it cannot at all risk another disaster.

Therefore, a boycott plan would prove disastrous for both the countries and would heighten the tension not subsiding as yet. Prospect of a war should be the last thought on their minds. Continuous dialogue and negotiations are the natural course to take for both countries. Patriotism is good and righteous, but it should never be at the expense of the country. People of India should realize this, and the government should educate the citizens on this rather than trying to capitalize on passions of patriotism and jingoism. 

India: Something’s Not Right!

When you log in to your Gmail account and it is not working properly then Google promptly tells you ‘Something’s not right’! It keeps on popping up till order is restored. I think Google should consider adding this tag to ‘India’ whenever any reference is made to this country! However ruefully, you must admit such a necessity particularly after what you’ve witnessed recently over the most successful Surgical Strikes executed by India on Pakistan.  

I thought at least the anti-terror sentiment was universal, but not in this country. For some people of this country terrorists are also human beings and therefore their ‘human rights’ are of paramount importance. These same people don’t utter a word about ‘human rights’ when soldiers and cops are slaughtered brutally, but in case of all kinds of criminals they become extremely vocal. They consider doing or saying anything under the sun as their ‘democratic right’. There have been so many instances in recent times in India when such people openly supported terrorists just by way of trying to assert their democratic right. Great thing about India is that such condemnable acts are being tolerated. And, these are the people who condemn our society or country as intolerant. This peace-loving land called India tries to keep on the peace & dialogue track despite all odds and even at the cost of being labelled as ‘soft’, particularly in view of ceaseless ceasefire violations and killings of Indian soldiers by Pakistan. When evidently Pakistan sponsored terrorists killed 19 soldiers at Uri in Jammu and Kashmir, India said enough was enough and acted tough which was completely unexpected for our neighbouring country.

Like they did earlier in Myanmar, India, with the Indian Army, executed the tremendously effective Surgical Strikes in Pakistan occupied Kashmir on the wee hours of 29^th September, 2016, eliminating around 40 terrorists preparing to infiltrate into India along with a few Pak army personnel. The sheer unexpectedness of the act almost paralyzed Pakistan, unable even to give a reaction initially. However, as is usual, they got into their time-tested ‘denial mode’ and dismissed it as just another skirmish, a violation by India this time, across the Line of Control. It was not at all difficult to guess the turmoil in their mind—how could India do it! And, how desperate they possibly were to get the video of the Indian strategic strike!

And then, our terror-friendly great ‘democratic’ leaders got into the act of helping out Pakistan. They asked the Indian Government to prove the Surgical Strike! They asked the Government to make the Surgical Strike video public! Any layman would know that such videos should never get released in public obviously for strategic internal security and defence reasons. One political leader went to the extent of calling it a fake! Who are they actually—terrorists in disguise or plain simple traitors or political strategists of the lowest order?  What right they have to discredit the sentinels on our border and the brave soldiers who fight relentlessly, defying increment weather, only to protect our country and us? What India failed to do over the decades this government led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi finally achieved it through strategically fool-proof planning with the Army, and therefore, along with the brave soldiers the ruling government has to get some of the credit. Are these political leaders, just because they are in opposition, so naive as not to understand this simple fact? They should also have the knowledge of distinguishing a weak government from a strong government.

Positively speaking, even after this ridiculous aftermath of the Surgical Strike the Indian Government is going strongly ahead to isolate Pakistan and neutralising their terrorists constantly trying to infiltrate and do brutal attacks on Indian soil. Yes, if something’s not right then it should be set ‘right’ pretty soon. The menace of terror emanating mostly from Pakistan should be eradicated completely, only then the common people of both India and Pakistan will feel safe. More surgical strikes should be planned and executed till the last terrorist is neutralised. Further, when something’s not right between two countries nobody should ever expect normal things to go on as if nothing’s the matter. Terror must be rooted out, come what may, come what some people would say. A strong government can always accomplish that. Jai Hind! 

Siachen Miracle: Alas! Lance Naik Hanumanthappa Could Not Be Saved...

A billion prayers could not save him. Better than the best medical efforts ensured by the Indian Prime Minister could not save him. The miracle that saved him finally could not save him for telling his story of ultimate human endurance, indomitable willpower and exemplary courage. Lance Naik Hanumanthappa Koppad who was buried under 25 feet of snow and ice for 6 days in Siachen Glacier and rescued alive passed away today in an army hospital in New Delhi where he was admitted on 9^th February, 2016 after being flown in an air ambulance from the Siachen heights. His medical bulletins over the last two days narrated his continuous deterioration with multi-organ dysfunction, lack of oxygen in the brain, blood clotting in his body not responding to maximum possible dosage of medicines and coma. He was on maximal life support system and yet he could not be revived. Today morning he slipped into a deeper coma and passed away shortly after.

The whole of India is under a deep sense of loss, sorrow and shock. His family who joined him from Karnataka hoping against hope is crestfallen. God did not grant him one more miracle. Yet his Siachen miracle remains a miracle that will go on inspiring his colleagues in the Indian Army and all of us in our daily life of beliefs, efforts, achievements and the drive to go ahead. His name will be written in gold in our hearts forever.

This is not a tragedy. This is an inspiring story of an Indian braveheart who could make history to be rewritten. Hanumanthappa is not dead. He is more spirited and alive now in billion hearts. He will continue to live on in India and the world. Let us all join his family in praying for the eternal bliss of Hanumanthappa Koppad’s invincible soul. His family ought not to be grief-stricken but be proud of him. His legendary story of bravery will be remembered and worshipped at every step of life by his family, the country and the generations to come. You cannot check tears rolling down your cheeks, but let it be tears of pride of being an Indian. This is also a historic moment to salute the bravehearts of the Indian Army who would stop at nothing to protect us and our great country. Let this also be a warning to the enemies of humanity what Indians can do to defend their pride and harmony.

The Siachen Miracle: Indian Soldier Buried Under 25 Feet of Snow For 6 Days Rescued Alive!

Lance Naik Hanumanthappa Koppad, a soldier of the Indian Army, along with 9 of his colleagues was buried under 25 feet of snow on Wednesday, the 3^rd of February 2016 when an avalanche swept away their post in Siachen Glacier. Within days the soldiers were presumed dead and tributes offered. However, the Indian Army and the Indian Air Force carried on with their rescue operations in extremely difficult conditions. Today, miraculously, Hanumanthappa was found alive—with weak pulse and disoriented—and was flown immediately to an Army hospital in New Delhi in an air ambulance. His condition is said to be extremely critical and next 24 to 48 hours will be crucial. The news of this miracle spread like wild fire and the whole nation has joined in prayers for the brave soldier’s final recovery.

Siachen Glacier is called the highest battleground. Situated in the eastern Karakoram Range in the Himalayas this is one of the disputed territories between India and Pakistan near the Line of Control. The Indian Army maintains the Siachen post rotating soldiers every one to three months. With an altitude of over 19,000 feet and temperatures dipping to -50 Degree Celsius during winter Siachen sector is known for its extremely harsh weather conditions. Nearly a thousand India soldiers have died here since 1984 due to weather and environmental conditions. Hanumanthappa’s survival for 6 days buried under 25 feet of snow and ice in this chillingly harsh climate presents the story of human endurance and the triumph of sheer willpower.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi was the quickest to react to this news of immense proportion. Ignoring protocol, without informing traffic police for clearing of roads and without even his normal accompanying convoy the Prime Minister rushed to the Army hospital. He met the Army Chief, other top officials and the doctors there to take stock of the line of treatment given to the brave soldier and to stress that no efforts should be spared to revive him. The nation appreciated the Prime Minister’s gesture as one of his finest and most sensitive. Narendra Modi becomes the first Indian Prime Minister ever to call upon a soldier and no other instance of such a surprise or impromptu programme by a Prime Minister ever comes to mind. Modi is known to be a down-to-earth person always giving his time to talk or communicate to the common people and he has been always vocal about the ultimate sacrifice of the Indian soldiers for the protection of the country. We had mentioned his sudden decision to go to Lahore to meet his Pakistan counterpart recently in an earlier post. The humanitarian warmth of his gesture has added a refreshing dimension to this immense miracle. In today’s conflicting times we need more of such miracles—to bring human values back to humans.

Members of Hanumanthappa’s family are the happiest souls at the moment and they are being flown to Delhi from Karnataka. His wife, all others and the nation are praying for his final recovery. We join in the prayers. The Braveheart must live.